Bangkok’s governor sought to put the kibosh today on rumors his deputy quit under a grafty cloud of scandal.
Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang denied that yesterday’s surprise resignation of Jakkapan Phiewngam, a deputy governor, was due to his role in allocating THB13 billion (US$420.5 million) to build waste processing plants.
That didn’t stop state media, usually a reliable booster of all bureaucrats, from tarring Jakkapan with scandal and some downright weasely words in a report saying his immediate termination was “believed by some” to stem from awarding contracts that smacked of favoritism.
It said an investigation has already been launched by two anti-corruption agencies. Calls to Jakkapan’s former office were not immediately returned.
Jakkapan previously headed operations in the Drainage and Sewerage, Public Works and Environment departments.
If implicated in wrongdoing, he wouldn’t be the highest-ranking city official whose career ended in a smoking crater of malfeasance.
Three years ago, the junta leader used his absolute power to fire the last democratically elected governor, Sukhumbhand Paribatra, following a number of scandals including a THB40 million graft-tastic light show.
Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha installed Aswin, a police general and junta loyalist, in his place.
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